NASHVILLE - The Missouri State track & field team will take part in the Vanderbilt Black & Gold at Vanderbilt Track starting Friday.

The two-day event will involve 15 teams and 600 athletes and offer the Bears a chance to build on their strong start to the outdoor season. Missouri State opened the year going 5-1 in a dual-meet format at the Tulsa Duels last weekend, topping the host Golden Hurricane, UMKC, Nebraska Omaha, South Dakota and Oral Roberts and only falling to Big 12-power Oklahoma.

"We are excited to go to Vanderbilt University with the main goal of continuing to perform well in the outdoor season," said MSU Director of Track & Field Ronald Boyce. "We will see some schools we don't normally compete against, which will keep our athletes honest with their efforts. The ladies are eager and ready to compete. This should be a fun competition."

The Black & Gold opens Friday at 4 p.m. with the women's hammer throw. Running events begin at 5 p.m., with the 200 meters. Saturday's events get underway at 10 a.m., with the discus and running events begin at 11:30 a.m., with the 2,000-meter steeplechase.

Up to 18 Bears are slated to compete in individual events this weekend with MSU also fielding entries in the 4x100- and 4x400-meter relays.

The Missouri State won four events last weekend at Tulsa including the 100 and 200 meters, long jump and 4x100 and look to ride that momentum at Vanderbilt.

Sophomore Shavonne Husbands and Robiann Broomfield claimed the 100 and long jump, respectively, and junior Althia Maximilien took the 200 meters. Husbands clocked an 11.59 in the 100, Broomfield leaped 5.65 meters (18 feet, 6.5 inches) in the long jump and Maxim lien went 24.32 in the 200.